Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-13
Nancy Nichols Accused OF Poisoning
Alvina WanZer.

This morning, between and O'Clock, Officer j.
j. Smith, of the eighth precinct, took In custody
coiored woman named Nancy Nichols. and locked
her up on charge OF murder. Ii is alleged that
she poisoned colored girl named Alvina WanZer,
who lived at No. 500 street northwest. She was
arrested on a warrant issued by Justice Bundy.
Nancy was taken to the Police Court, where the
case was continued until tomorrow without bail,
and she was committed to jail. The prisoner was
arrested at her home No. 32S Wilson street. in the
county.
WAS THERE POISON IN THE BEER?
The witnesses named in the warrant are Annie
Clendenning, Ella Shorter, Maria johnson, and
DR.. Winters.
number Of colored women volunteered as wit
nesses and attended the Police Court this MORN
Ing, where they were examined by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Lavender. The witnesses under
oath, stated that on the night OF July the de-
fendant handed the deceased glass OF beer which
she drank. She Immediately complained or being
sick, and said she was poisoned. One OF the women
asked her to open her mouth which she could not
do, and showed symptoms OF locklaw. She went
home and was afterward attended by DR.. Winters
She died on Wednesday and was buried Sunday
afternoon.
AN ALLEGED CONFESSION.
Five OF the women testified to confession made
by the prisoner before her arrest, which they
swore was made in the following language: "Yes,
poisoned her, and am sorry did not poison the
whole family
Mr. Lavender heard the statement OF the cor
oner, and decided to lay the before the dis
tr1ct attorney before he took any action in the
matter.
CORONER PATTERSON DOES NOT THINK THE DEAD
WOMAN WAS POISONED.
Coroner Patterson said to a STAR reporter this
| morning that he made an investigation of the
case at the time OF the death, and did not think
| the woman had been poisoned. The deceased he
said attended picnic on the Fourth OF July, and
small bucket of beer. They drank one glass. and
| the second glass was being handed around when
| sick She, however, did not send for physician
until the following Wednesday, when she died. A
| post-mOrtem examination was made, but he saw
no evidence OF poison. portion of the stomach
| was taken to the District chemist. he said, but
was never analyZed The Office at that time was
| upset, and the chemist thought 1t necessary TO
have at least One-eighth OF the body for anay sis
| He. Uhe coroner) however, did not think 1t was
necessary to have ir analyzed, as he satisfied
that no poison had been administered: He
thought that II she really had the lockjaw it was
probably the result OF sore thumb.
THE DEATH CERTIFICATE ASSIGNED LocKJAw AS THE
| CAUSE.
Chief Clerk McGinn, Of the health of1ice, said to
| a STAR reporter this morning that a colored
woman made some complaint to him about the
| case couple OF days ago and wanted some OF the
| officers to swear out warrant. He knew nothing
OF the facts in the case, except that the certificate
! gave lockjaw as the cause OF death. 1t was Ger.
| titled TO by DR.. Patterson, the coroner, and the
| body was buried at Mount Pleasant.
| TIE PRISONERS DENIAL.
The prisoner, when seen in her cell by a STAB
| reporter denied her guilt. She also denied that
she was in company with the Wanzer girl, or thai
| she even saw her on the night OF July 4.
The district attorney had not investigated the
case this afternoon. and was, therefore, unable tG
tell whether the body would be disinterred or not
Stopping the Bell Ringing.
NO MORE FIRE ALARMS ON CHURCH BELLS AND NJ
| MORE JINGLISG ON sTRERT-CAR HORSES.
Hereafter there will be no public ringing OF tn,
flre-alarm bells. Commissioner Ludlow stated tt
a STAR reporter that the order will be made ant
go into effect to-day. He said also that the use o